Final answer:
The 'reversal test' for equative sentences can fail when the sentence reversal changes the meaning or emphasis of the original sentence. Two examples where the test is unreliable are provided to show its limitations as a diagnostic tool. It's demonstrated that other methods or context should be considered for accurate sentence analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 'reversal test'—a method to check if a sentence is 'equative'—fails for certain constructions. Two illustrative examples where the reversal test does not provide a clear diagnostic are:
- The teacher punished not only the students who turned in the assignments but also those who did not.
- Janet's admiration for her mentor is as strong as her commitment to her research.
In the first case, the reversal of the sentence ('The teacher punished not only the students who did not turn in the assignments but also those who did.') is grammatically correct but changes the meaning, thus, we can't use it solely to identify an equative sentence. In the second instance, although the reversal of the comparatives ('Janet's commitment to her research is as strong as her admiration for her mentor.') retains the meaning, it might suggest a different emphasis, failing to provide a definitive assessment of the equative structure.
These examples show that the reversal test can sometimes lead to a change in meaning or emphasis, indicating its limitations as a diagnostic tool for equative sentences. Other tests or context may be needed for accurate analysis.